U.S. patent application number 13/905470 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for disc device.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Tatsuro NISHI, Takuto YAMAZAKI.
Application Number | 20130326549 13/905470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49671976 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130326549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NISHI; Tatsuro ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
DISC DEVICE
Abstract
The disc device includes a carrier which retains a plurality of
discs in such a stacked state, which separates one disc from the
retained plurality of discs above a tray ejected from arbitrary one
of the disc drives, and which places the separated disc on the
tray. The carrier includes a spindle unit inserted into a center
hole formed in each of the discs, a first hold claw portion which
holds an inner circumferential portion of the disc, and a second
hold claw portion provided at a position higher than the first hold
claw portion by a substantially thickness of one disc, the second
hold claw portion holding an inner circumferential portion of the
disc. One disc from the retained discs is separated by shifting the
first and second hold claw portions back and forth between an inner
side and an outer side of the spindle unit.
Inventors: |
NISHI; Tatsuro; (Osaka,
JP) ; YAMAZAKI; Takuto; (Nara, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANASONIC CORPORATION |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
49671976 |
Appl. No.: |
13/905470 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/615 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 17/225 20130101;
G11B 23/0323 20130101; G11B 17/053 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
720/615 |
International
Class: |
G11B 17/053 20060101
G11B017/053 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 4, 2012 |
JP |
2012-127164 |
Claims
1. A disc device for supplying a disc to each of a plurality of
disc drives, the disc device comprising: a carrier which retains a
plurality of discs being stacked in such a stacked state, which
separates one disc from the retained plurality of discs at a
position above a tray ejected from arbitrary one of the disc
drives, and which places the separated disc on the tray, wherein
the carrier includes: a spindle unit inserted into a center hole
formed in each of the plurality of discs; a first hold claw portion
which holds an inner circumferential portion of the disc; and a
second hold claw portion which is provided at a position higher
than the first hold claw portion by a substantially thickness of
one disc, the second hold claw portion holding an inner
circumferential portion of the disc, and one disc from the retained
plurality of discs is separated by shifting the first hold claw
portion and the second hold claw portion back and forth between an
inner side and an outer side of the spindle unit.
2. The disc device according to claim 1, wherein the first and
second hold claw portions shift to a holding position where only
the first hold claw portion projects outward of the spindle unit, a
switching position where both the first and second hold claw
portions project outward of the spindle unit, and separating
position where only the second hold claw portion projects outward
of the spindle unit.
3. The disc device according to claim 2, wherein the first and
second hold claw portions shift to the holding position, the
switching position, and the separating position in this order when
a cam shaft inserted inside of the spindle unit rotates about an
axis of the cam shaft.
4. The disc device according to claim 2, wherein when the spindle
unit is inserted into the center holes formed in each of the
plurality of discs, the first and second hold claw portions are
located at the holding position, the first hold claw portion comes
into contact with an inner circumferential portion of bottommost
disc of the plurality of discs and holds the plurality of discs,
when the first hold claw portion holds the plurality of discs, the
first and second hold claw portions shift from the holding position
to the switching position, and when the first hold claw portion is
conveyed to a position above the tray in a state where the first
hold claw portion holds the plurality of discs, the first and
second hold claw portions shift from the switching position to the
separating position.
5. The disc device according to claim 1, wherein the first and
second hold claw portions shift to a stored position where both the
first and second hold claw portions recede inside of the spindle
unit, a holding position where only the first hold claw portion
projects outward of the spindle unit, a switching position where
both the first and second hold claw portions project outward of the
spindle unit, and a separating position where only the second hold
claw portion projects outward of the spindle unit.
6. The disc device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of
the first and second hold claw portions has a plurality of claw
portions whose phases are different from one another in a
circumferential direction of the spindle unit.
7. The disc device according to claim 5, wherein the first and
second hold claw portions shift to the stored position, the holding
position, the switching position, and the separating position in
this order when a cam shaft inserted inside of the spindle unit
rotates about an axis of the cam shaft.
8. The disc device according to claim 5, wherein when the spindle
unit is inserted into center holes formed in each of the plurality
of discs, the first and second hold claw portions are located at
the stored position, when the spindle unit is inserted into the
center holes until the first hold claw portion is located below
bottommost disc of the plurality of discs, the first and second
hold claw portions shift from the stored position to the holding
position, the first hold claw portion comes into contact with an
inner circumferential portion of the bottommost disc and holds the
plurality of discs, when the first hold claw portion holds the
plurality of discs, the first and second hold claw portions shift
from the holding position to the switching position, and when the
first hold claw portion is conveyed to a position above the tray in
a state where the first hold claw portion holds the plurality of
discs, the first and second hold claw portions shift from the
switching position to the separating position.
9. The disc device according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of the
second hold claw portion becomes greater downward from the outer
circumferential side to the inner circumferential side, the second
hold claw portion projects outward of the spindle unit when the
second hold claw portion is located at the separating position as
compared when the second hold claw portion is located at the
switching position, and the second hold claw portion presses the
bottommost disc downward.
10. The disc device according to claim 2, wherein an inner
circumferential portion of the disc is provided with a recess
portion, and when the second hold claw portion shifts to the
holding position, the second hold claw portion is inserted into the
recess portion.
11. A disc used in the disc device according to claim 2, wherein an
inner circumferential portion of the disc is provided with a recess
portion into which the second hold claw portion having shifted to
the holding position is inserted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The technical field relates to a disc device that supplies a
disc (a disc-like information recording medium such as a CD or a
DVD) to each of a plurality of disc drives.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, as a disc device of this type, a device
disclosed in Patent Document 1 (No. 2011-204311 A) is known, for
example. The disc device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a
magazine that stores a plurality of trays that stores one disc, and
a plurality of disc drives. The disc device disclosed in Patent
Document 1 is structured such that: an arbitrary tray is drawn out
from the magazine; one disc stored in the drawn out tray is
suctioned and held by a suction pad; and the disc is placed on the
tray of an arbitrary disc drive.
[0005] With the disc device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the
number of discs that can be stored in the magazine is small because
the disc device is structured to store one disc per tray. For
increasing the number of discs stored in the magazine, it may be
effective to directly stack a plurality of discs without use of the
trays, to thereby reduce the number of trays.
[0006] However, in this case, the discs being adjacent to one
another stick fast together, and will not be separated from one
another easily. Patent Document 2 (No. 2000-117553 A) discloses the
technique for solving such a problem. Patent Document 2 discloses
the following technique: separating adjacent two discs from each
other by inserting claw portions between the two discs; and
allowing the separated discs to be suctioned and held by suction
pads.
PATENT DOCUMENTS
[0007] Patent Document 1: JP 2011-204311 A [0008] Patent Document
2: JP 2000-117553 A
SUMMARY
[0009] A further increase in the number of stored discs is demanded
of such disc devices. In order to increase the number of stored
discs, simply thinking, the number of magazines should be
increased.
[0010] However, an increase in the number of pieces of magazines
inevitably increases the distance between the disc drive and a
magazine that is placed at the farthest position from the disc
drive. This invites an increase in the disc conveying time.
Further, since the disc device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is
structured to supply the disc one by one from the magazine to the
disc drives, considerable time is required for supplying the discs
to the plurality of disc drives.
[0011] Further, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 cannot
prevent the increase in time of supplying the discs to the
plurality of disc drives.
[0012] Therefore, one non-limiting and exemplary embodiment
provides a disc device that can avoid an increase in the time
required for supplying discs to a plurality of disc drives.
[0013] In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here
feature:
[0014] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a
disc device for supplying a disc to each of a plurality of disc
drives, the disc device comprising:
[0015] a carrier which retains a plurality of discs being stacked
in such a stacked state, which separates one disc from the retained
plurality of discs at a position above a tray ejected from
arbitrary one of the disc drives, and which places the separated
disc on the tray, wherein
[0016] the carrier includes: [0017] a spindle unit inserted into a
center hole formed in each of the plurality of discs; [0018] a
first hold claw portion which holds an inner circumferential
portion of the disc; and [0019] a second hold claw portion which is
provided at a position higher than the first hold claw portion by a
substantially thickness of one disc, the second hold claw portion
holding an inner circumferential portion of the disc, and
[0020] one disc from the retained plurality of discs is separated
by shifting the first hold claw portion and the second hold claw
portion back and forth between an inner side and an outer side of
the spindle unit.
[0021] With the disc device of the present disclosure, since it is
not necessary to cause the suction pad suctioning and holding each
disc to reciprocate between the magazine and the disc drive unlike
Patent Document 1, an increase in the time required for supplying
the discs to the plurality of disc drives can be avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic structure
of a disc device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a magazine included in the
disc device shown in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the magazine
shown in FIG. 2A.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a picker included in the
disc device shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of a drive
system of an up-and-down table included in the picker shown in FIG.
3.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the picker shown in FIG. 3
as seen diagonally from below.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the state where the picker
shown in FIG. 3 shifts to the position at the front of the magazine
selected from a plurality of magazines.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the manner of the picker shown
in FIG. 3 drawing out a magazine tray from the magazine.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the manner of the picker shown
in FIG. 3 drawing out the magazine tray from the magazine.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the manner of the picker shown
in FIG. 3 drawing out the magazine tray from the magazine.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the manner of the picker
shown in FIG. 3 drawing out the magazine tray from the
magazine.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the manner of the picker
shown in FIG. 3 drawing out the magazine tray from the
magazine.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the state where the picker
shown in FIG. 3 has drawn out the magazine tray from the
magazine.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the state where the picker
shown in FIG. 3 has conveyed the magazine tray to a position near
the plurality of disc drives.
[0036] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the state where the
picker shown in FIG. 3 has conveyed the magazine tray to a position
near the plurality of disc drives.
[0037] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the state where the
picker shown in FIG. 3 has shifted the magazine tray to a position
above a lifter included in the disc device shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the state
where a magazine tray guide of the lifter included in the disc
device shown in FIG. 1 is removed.
[0039] FIG. 17 is an assembly perspective view showing the state
where the magazine tray guide of the lifter included in the disc
device shown in FIG. 1 is removed.
[0040] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a carrier included in the
disc device shown in FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 19 is a partial enlarged side view of the carrier shown
in FIG. 18.
[0042] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the state where a disc
chuck unit included in the carrier shown in FIG. 18 is lowered to a
position above and near the magazine tray.
[0043] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the state where all
the discs are held by the disc chuck unit.
[0044] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the state, which
follows the state shown in FIG. 21, where the picker has shifted to
the device-front side, and the magazine tray has receded from the
position near the disc drive.
[0045] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the state, which
follows the state shown in FIG. 22, where a tray of the
bottommost-stage disc drive is ejected.
[0046] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the state, which
follows the state shown in FIG. 23, where a shift base is lowered
such that the plurality of discs retained by the disc chuck unit
position above the tray.
[0047] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the state where the
bottommost disc is placed on the tray.
[0048] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the state, which
follows the state shown in FIG. 25, where the tray has been carried
into the disc drive.
[0049] FIG. 27 is a perspective view where the carrier places a
disc on the tray of the topmost-stage disc drive.
[0050] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the state where a
plurality of discs collected by the carrier are stored in the
magazine tray.
[0051] FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the disc chuck
unit included in the carrier shown in FIG. 18 as seen diagonally
from above.
[0052] FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the disc chuck
unit included in the carrier shown in FIG. 18 as seen diagonally
from below.
[0053] FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of two separator
hooks and two bottom hooks included in the disc chuck unit shown in
FIG. 29.
[0054] FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view showing the discs each
provided with a recess portion at their inner circumferential
portion.
[0055] FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the state where a
spindle head included in the disc chuck unit shown in FIG. 29 is
fixed to the bottom end portion of a spindle shaft by a screw.
[0056] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the spindle head included
in the disc chuck unit shown in FIG. 29.
[0057] FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of a camshaft unit
included in the disc chuck unit shown in FIG. 29.
[0058] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of two cam plates included in
the camshaft unit shown in FIG. 35 as seen diagonally from
below.
[0059] FIG. 37A is a diagram showing the manner of a drive pin of
one separator hook sliding along a cam groove formed at the top
face of one cam plate.
[0060] FIG. 37B is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the one separator hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
top face of the one cam plate.
[0061] FIG. 37C is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the one separator hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
top face of the one cam plate.
[0062] FIG. 37D is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the one separator hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
top face of the one cam plate.
[0063] FIG. 38A is a diagram showing the manner of a drive pin of
other separator hook sliding along a cam groove formed at the
bottom face of the one cam plate.
[0064] FIG. 38B is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the other separator hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
bottom face of the one cam plate.
[0065] FIG. 38C is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the other separator hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
bottom face of the one cam plate.
[0066] FIG. 38D is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the other separator hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
bottom face of the one cam plate.
[0067] FIG. 39A is a diagram showing the manner of a drive pin of
one bottom hook sliding along a cam groove formed at the top face
of other cam plate.
[0068] FIG. 39B is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the one bottom hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the top
face of the other cam plate.
[0069] FIG. 39C is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the one bottom hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the top
face of the other cam plate.
[0070] FIG. 39D is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the one bottom hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the top
face of the other cam plate.
[0071] FIG. 40A is a diagram showing the manner of a drive pin of
other bottom hook sliding along a cam groove formed at the bottom
face of the other cam plate.
[0072] FIG. 40B is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the other bottom hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
bottom face of the other cam plate.
[0073] FIG. 40C is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the other bottom hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
bottom face of the other cam plate.
[0074] FIG. 40D is a diagram showing the manner of the drive pin of
the other bottom hook sliding along the cam groove formed at the
bottom face of the other cam plate.
[0075] FIG. 41A is a diagram showing the manner of the hooks shown
in FIGS. 37A to 40D sliding along corresponding cam grooves,
focusing on the positional relationship between a camshaft and the
hooks.
[0076] FIG. 41B is a diagram showing the manner of the hooks shown
in FIGS. 37A to 40D sliding along corresponding cam grooves,
focusing on the positional relationship between the camshaft and
the hooks.
[0077] FIG. 41C is a diagram showing the manner of the hooks shown
in FIGS. 37A to 40D sliding along corresponding cam grooves,
focusing on the positional relationship between the camshaft and
the hooks.
[0078] FIG. 41D is a diagram showing the manner of the hooks shown
in FIGS. 37A to 40D sliding along corresponding cam grooves,
focusing on the positional relationship between the camshaft and
the hooks.
[0079] FIG. 42 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0080] FIG. 43 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0081] FIG. 44 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0082] FIG. 45 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0083] FIG. 46 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0084] FIG. 47 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0085] FIG. 48 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0086] FIG. 49 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
[0087] FIG. 50 is a diagram schematically showing the manner of the
carrier shown in FIG. 18 separating one disc from a plurality of
discs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0088] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a disc device for supplying a disc to each of a
plurality of disc drives, the disc device comprising:
[0089] a carrier which retains a plurality of discs being stacked
in such a stacked state, which separates one disc from the retained
plurality of discs at a position above a tray ejected from
arbitrary one of the disc drives, and which places the separated
disc on the tray, wherein
[0090] the carrier includes: [0091] a spindle unit inserted into a
center hole formed in each of the plurality of discs; [0092] a
first hold claw portion which holds an inner circumferential
portion of the disc; and [0093] a second hold claw portion which is
provided at a position higher than the first hold claw portion by a
substantially thickness of one disc, the second hold claw portion
holding an inner circumferential portion of the disc, and
[0094] one disc from the retained plurality of discs is separated
by shifting the first hold claw portion and the second hold claw
portion back and forth between an inner side and an outer side of
the spindle unit.
[0095] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided the disc device according to the first aspect,
wherein
[0096] the first and second hold claw portions shift to
[0097] a holding position where only the first hold claw portion
projects outward of the spindle unit,
[0098] a switching position where both the first and second hold
claw portions project outward of the spindle unit, and
[0099] separating position where only the second hold claw portion
projects outward of the spindle unit.
[0100] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided the disc device according to the second aspect,
wherein
[0101] the first and second hold claw portions shift to the holding
position, the switching position, and the separating position in
this order when a cam shaft inserted inside of the spindle unit
rotates about an axis of the cam shaft.
[0102] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided the disc device according to the second or third
aspect, wherein
[0103] when the spindle unit is inserted into the center holes
formed in each of the plurality of discs, the first and second hold
claw portions are located at the holding position, the first hold
claw portion comes into contact with an inner circumferential
portion of bottommost disc of the plurality of discs and holds the
plurality of discs,
[0104] when the first hold claw portion holds the plurality of
discs, the first and second hold claw portions shift from the
holding position to the switching position, and
[0105] when the first hold claw portion is conveyed to a position
above the tray in a state where the first hold claw portion holds
the plurality of discs, the first and second hold claw portions
shift from the switching position to the separating position.
[0106] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided the disc device according to the first aspect,
wherein
[0107] the first and second hold claw portions shift to
[0108] a stored position where both the first and second hold claw
portions recede inside of the spindle unit,
[0109] a holding position where only the first hold claw portion
projects outward of the spindle unit,
[0110] a switching position where both the first and second hold
claw portions project outward of the spindle unit, and
[0111] a separating position where only the second hold claw
portion projects outward of the spindle unit.
[0112] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided the disc device according to the fifth aspect,
wherein
[0113] at least one of the first and second hold claw portions has
a plurality of claw portions whose phases are different from one
another in a circumferential direction of the spindle unit.
[0114] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided the disc device according to the fifth or sixth
aspect, wherein
[0115] the first and second hold claw portions shift to the stored
position, the holding position, the switching position, and the
separating position in this order when a cam shaft inserted inside
of the spindle unit rotates about an axis of the cam shaft.
[0116] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided the disc device according to any one of the fifth
to seventh aspects, wherein
[0117] when the spindle unit is inserted into center holes formed
in each of the plurality of discs, the first and second hold claw
portions are located at the stored position,
[0118] when the spindle unit is inserted into the center holes
until the first hold claw portion is located below bottommost disc
of the plurality of discs, the first and second hold claw portions
shift from the stored position to the holding position, the first
hold claw portion comes into contact with an inner circumferential
portion of the bottommost disc and holds the plurality of
discs,
[0119] when the first hold claw portion holds the plurality of
discs, the first and second hold claw portions shift from the
holding position to the switching position, and
[0120] when the first hold claw portion is conveyed to a position
above the tray in a state where the first hold claw portion holds
the plurality of discs, the first and second hold claw portions
shift from the switching position to the separating position.
[0121] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided the disc device according to the fourth or eighth
aspect, wherein
[0122] a thickness of the second hold claw portion becomes greater
downward from the outer circumferential side to the inner
circumferential side, the second hold claw portion projects outward
of the spindle unit when the second hold claw portion is located at
the separating position as compared when the second hold claw
portion is located at the switching position, and the second hold
claw portion presses the bottommost disc downward.
[0123] According to a 10th aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided the disc device according to any one of the second to
ninth aspects, wherein
[0124] an inner circumferential portion of the disc is provided
with a recess portion, and
[0125] when the second hold claw portion shifts to the holding
position, the second hold claw portion is inserted into the recess
portion.
[0126] According to an 11th aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a disc used in the disc device according to any one of
the second to ninth aspects, wherein
[0127] an inner circumferential portion of the disc is provided
with a recess portion into which the second hold claw portion
having shifted to the holding position is inserted.
[0128] In the following, with reference to the drawings, a
description will be given of an embodiment of the present
disclosure. It is to be noted that, identical reference characters
are allotted to identical or corresponding parts throughout the
drawings referred to in the following, and description thereof will
not be repeated.
Embodiment
[0129] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic structure
of a disc device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. It is to be noted that, in the present embodiment, the
left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the "device-front side", and
the right side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the "device-rear
side".
[0130] Firstly, with reference to FIG. 1, a description will be
given of an overall structure of the disc device according to the
present embodiment.
[0131] The disc device according to the present embodiment includes
two magazine stockers 1, 1. The two magazine stockers 1, 1 are
provided on a bottom chassis 11 so as to oppose to each other in a
device width direction Y. It is to be noted that, in FIG. 1, one of
the magazine stockers 1 (on the near side) is not shown. Further,
the top panel and the partition plate of the magazine stocker 1 are
not shown in FIG. 1.
[0132] Each magazine stocker 1 stores a plurality of magazines 2.
Each magazine 2 includes magazine trays 21 storing a plurality of
(e.g., 12 pieces of) discs. Between the two magazine stockers 1, 1,
a picker 3 that draws out the magazine tray 21 from one magazine 2
selected from a plurality of magazines 2 and that holds the
magazine tray 21 is provided.
[0133] The picker 3 is structured to convey the held magazine tray
21 to a position near a plurality of disc drives 4 arranged at the
device-rear side. The picker 3 is integrally provided with a lifter
5 that pushes out a plurality of discs from the magazine tray
21.
[0134] The disc drives 4 are each an apparatus that performs
recording or reproducing of information on or from a disc. Further,
the disc drives 4 are each a tray-scheme disc drive that load discs
using trays. The plurality of disc drives 4 are stacked in a device
height direction Z, and arranged so as to be adjacent to the
magazine stockers 1, 1 on the device-rear side. Between the
plurality of disc drives 4 arranged as being stacked so as to be
adjacent to one magazine stocker 1 and the plurality of disc drives
4 arranged as being stacked so as to be adjacent to the other
magazine stocker 1, a carrier 6 is provided.
[0135] The carrier 6 is structured to: retain a plurality of discs
pushed out by the lifter 5 in such a stacked state; separate one
disc from the retained plurality of discs above a tray 4a (see FIG.
23) ejected from an arbitrary disc drive 4; and place the separated
disc on the tray 4a.
[0136] On the further device-rear side than the carrier 6 and the
plurality of disc drives 4, an electric circuit and a power supply
7 are provided. The electric circuit and the power supply 7 are
provided with a control unit that controls operations (motor and
the like) of devices such as the picker 3, the disc drives 4, the
carrier 6, and the like. The control unit is connected to, for
example, a host computer that manages data. The host computer sends
commands to the control unit to perform operations such as data
reading from or writing on the specified magazine 2, based on
instructions from the operator. The control unit controls the
operation of the devices such as the picker 3, the disc drive 4,
the carrier 6, and the like according to the commands.
[0137] Next, a description will be given of the structure of the
aforementioned devices and components in more detail.
[0138] The magazine stockers 1 are provided along guide rails 12
that slidably guide the picker 3. The guide rails 12 are provided
so as to extend in a device depth direction X (in the longitudinal
direction of the magazine stockers 1). A grip 13 is provided at the
side face on the device-front side of each magazine stocker 1. The
magazine stocker 1 can be shifted toward the device-front side by
the grip 13 being pulled. Each magazine stocker 1 is provided with
a partition plate (not shown) formed to be grid-like as seen from
the device width direction Y. In each of the space surrounded by
the partition plate, the magazine 2 is stored.
[0139] As shown in FIG. 2A, the magazine 2 includes the magazine
tray 21, and a case 22 that has a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape and that stores the magazine tray 21. As shown
in FIG. 2B, at the front face (one side face) of the case 22, an
opening 22a into which the magazine tray 21 can be inserted and
taken out is provided.
[0140] The magazine tray 21 is formed to have an outer shape being
substantially rectangular in planar view. The magazine tray 21
stores a plurality of discs 100 as being stacked in close contact
with one another. At the opposing corner portions that position on
the back side of the magazine case 22 in a state where the magazine
tray 21 is stored in the case 22, cut portions 21a, 21a are formed.
Further, a side face 21b that positions on the back side of the
magazine case 22 in the state where the magazine tray 21 is stored
in the magazine case 22 is formed to be arc-like as a whole
including the cut portions 21a, 21a.
[0141] At the opposing corner portions that position on the front
face side of the case 22 in the state where the magazine tray 21 is
stored in the case 22, cutout portions 21c, 21c are formed. On the
inner side of the cutout portions 21c, 21c in the width direction
of the magazine tray 21, engaging recess portions 21d, 21d with
which a pair of hooks 35, 35, whose description will follow, engage
are formed.
[0142] The magazine tray 21 is provided with a core rod, which is
inserted into a center hole 100a provided at each of the plurality
of discs 100 to restrict shifting of the discs 100 in the plane
direction. This core rod 38 prevents the discs 100 from being
damaged by such shifting of the discs 100 in the plane direction.
The core rod 23 is provided with an engaging portion 23a for
engaging with a spindle head 67b of a disc chuck unit 62, whose
description will follow.
[0143] Near the core rod 23, at least one hole 21e into which
up-and-down pins 52a of the lifter 5, whose description will
follow, are provided. In the present embodiment, three holes 21e
are provided at an interval of 120 degrees. Further, the three
holes 21e are provided at the position opposing to the
non-recording-and-reproducing region of the inner circumferential
portion of each disc 100 when the disc 100 is inserted into the
core rod 23.
[0144] The picker 3 includes a run base 31. As shown in FIG. 3, a
movable platform 31a slidably shifting along the guide rail 12 is
attached on one magazine stocker 1 side of the run base 31.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a roller 31b is attached on other
magazine stocker 1 side of the run base 31.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 3, the run base 31 is provided with a
picker motor 31c that produces drive force for causing the picker 3
to shift in the device depth direction X. A reduction gear 31d
meshes with a motor gear 31i, into which the drive shaft of the
picker motor 31c is press fitted. The reduction gear 31d meshes
with a pinion gear 31e. The pinion gear 31e meshes with a rack 14
provided adjacent to the guide rail 12 to extend in the device
depth direction X.
[0146] When the picker motor 31c is driven, the drive force of the
picker motor 31c is transferred to the pinion gear 31e via the
motor gear 31i and the reduction gear 31d, to rotate the pinion
gear 31e. Here, the rack 14 is fixed to the bottom chassis 11. On
the other hand, the run base 31 is not fixed to the bottom chassis
11. Accordingly, when the pinion gear 31e rotates, the pinion gear
31e shifts along the rack 14, whereby the picker 3 shifts in the
device depth direction X.
[0147] As the picker motor 31c, for example, a stepping motor is
employed. Applying a prescribed pulse to the picker motor 31c, the
picker 3 can be shifted to be located at the front of a prescribed
magazine 2.
[0148] A picker base 31h made of resin is attached to the run base
31 made of a sheet metal. The picker base 31h is provided with a
rotary table 32 so as to be rotatable substantially about a
rotation axis 32a extending in the device height direction Z.
Further, the picker base 31h is provided with a rotary table motor
31f that produces the drive force for causing the rotary table 32
to rotate. As shown in FIG. 4, a reduction gear 31g meshes with the
motor gear 31j, into which the drive shaft of the rotary table
motor 31f is press fitted. The reduction gear 31g meshes with a
rotary table gear 32b provided at the outer circumferential portion
of the rotary table 32. When the rotary table motor 31f is driven,
the drive force of the rotary table motor 31f is transferred to the
rotary table gear 32b via the motor gear 31j and the reduction gear
31g, whereby the rotary table 32 rotates.
[0149] The rotary table 32 is provided with a pair of up-and-down
rails 33, 33 extending along the device height direction Z and
opposing to each other. Between the pair of up-and-down rails 33,
33, an up-and-down table 34 is provided. Further, the rotary table
32 is provided with an up-and-down table motor 32c that produces
the drive force for causing the up-and-down table 34 to rise and
lower.
[0150] As shown in FIG. 4, a relay gear 32d meshes with a motor
gear 32k, into which the drive shaft of the up-and-down table motor
32c is press fitted. The relay gear 32d meshes with a coupling
shaft gear 32e. A coupling shaft 32f penetrates through the center
portion of the coupling shaft gear 32e. Worms 32g, 32g are fixed to
the opposite ends of the coupling shaft 32f. The worms 32g mesh
with relay gears 32h. The relay gears 32h mesh with lead screw
gears 32i. The lead screw gears 32i are fixed to lead screws 32j.
The lead screws 32j are provided so as to extend in the device
height direction Z along the up-and-down rails 33. As shown in FIG.
3, nuts 34a provided to the up-and-down table 34 are screwed with
the lead screws 32j.
[0151] When the up-and-down table motor 32c is driven, the drive
force of the up-and-down table motor 32c is transferred to the lead
screws 32j via the motor gear 32k, the relay gear 32d, the coupling
shaft gear 32e, the coupling shaft 32f, the worms 32g, the relay
gears 32h, and the lead screw gears 32i, whereby the lead screws
32j rotate. Thus, the up-and-down table 34 rises and lowers in the
device height direction Z along the pair of up-and-down rails 33
and 33.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 8, the up-and-down table 34 is provided
with a pair of hooks 35, 35 that can engage with engaging recess
portions 21d of the magazine tray 21, and a chuck 36 functioning to
open and close the pair of hooks 35, 35 and to cause the pair of
hooks 35, 35 to shift forward and backward.
[0153] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the up-and-down table 34 is
provided with a chuck motor 34b. A reduction gear 34c meshes with a
motor gear 34f, into which the drive shaft of the chuck motor 34b
is press fitted. The reduction gear 34c meshes with a lead screw
gear 34d. The lead screw gear 34d is fixed to a lead screw 34e. The
lead screw 34e is provided to extend in the direction perpendicular
to the line connecting between the pair of up-and-down rails 33 and
33. A nut 36a fixed to the chuck 36 is screwed with the lead screw
34e.
[0154] When the chuck motor 34b is driven, the drive force of the
chuck motor 34b is transferred to the nut 36a via the motor gear
34f, the reduction gear 34c, the lead screw gear 34d, and the lead
screw 34e, whereby the chuck 36 shifts along the lead screw
34e.
[0155] Further, the chuck 36 is structured to be capable of
adjusting the interval of the pair of hooks 35, 35. By the chuck 36
reducing the interval between the pair of hooks 35, 35, the pair of
hooks 35, 35 can engage with the engaging recess portions 21d, 21d
of the magazine tray 21. On the other hand, by the chuck 36
increasing the interval of the pair of hooks 35, 35, the engaged
state between the pair of hooks 35, 35 and the engaging recess
portions 21d, 21d of the magazine tray 21 can be released.
[0156] The paired up-and-down rails 33 are attached to opposite
side faces of a U-shaped angle plate 37, respectively. The top end
portions of the paired lead screws 32j are rotatably attached to
the top face of the angle plate 37.
[0157] The picker motor 31c, the rotary table motor 31f, the
up-and-down table motor 32c, and the chuck motor 34b are connected
to the control unit of the electric circuit and the power supply 7
via an FFC (flexible flat cable) 114 (see FIG. 1), and drive under
control of the control unit.
[0158] FIGS. 6 to 12 each show the manner of the picker 3 drawing
out the magazine tray 21 from the case 22. As the run base 31 runs
in the device depth direction X and the up-and-down table 34 rises
and lowers in the device height direction Z along the pair of
up-and-down rails 33, as shown in FIG. 6, the picker 3 shifts to
the location at the front of one magazine 2 selected from a
plurality of magazines 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotary
table 32 is rotated so that the chuck 36 is oriented to the front
side of the magazine 2.
[0159] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the chuck 36 advances toward
the magazine tray 21, whereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the pair of
hooks 35, 35 is engaged with the engaging recess portions 21d, 21d
of the magazine tray 21. In this state, by the chuck 36 receding
from the case 22, the magazine tray 21 is drawn out from the case
22.
[0160] As shown in FIG. 10, by the chuck 36 receding (i.e.,
shifting to the location at the front of the case 22), after the
cut portions 21a of the magazine tray 21 pass through the opening
22a of the case 22, the rotary table 32 rotates clockwise
substantially about the rotation axis 32a. In other words, as shown
in FIG. 11, when the distance L1 between a vertex 21f (i.e., the
position farthest from the rotation axis 32a) of the side face 21b
of the magazine tray 21 and the rotation axis 32a becomes smaller
than the distance L2 between the front end portion 22b of the side
face of the case 22 and the rotation axis 32a, the rotary table 32
rotates clockwise substantially about the rotation axis 32a. In
accordance with the rotation of the rotary table 32, as shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12, the magazine tray 21 rotates substantially about
the rotation axis 32a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the
magazine tray 21 is completely drawn out from the case 22.
[0161] As shown in FIG. 12, the magazine tray 21 drawn out from the
case 22 is conveyed to the location near the plurality of disc
drives 4 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, by the run base 31 of the
picker 3 running to the device-rear side. Thereafter, as shown in
FIG. 15, the chuck 36 of the picker 3 advances, and the magazine
tray 21 is placed at a prescribed position on the magazine tray
guide 51 at the top of the lifter 5. It is to be noted that, the
disc drives 4 on the near side are not shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
Similarly, the disc drives 4 on the near side are not shown also in
FIGS. 21 to 28, which will be referred to later.
[0162] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the state
where the magazine tray guide 51 of the lifter 5 is taken out, and
FIG. 17 is an assembly perspective view thereof.
[0163] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the lifter 5 includes an
up-and-down plate 52, a rotary cam 53, a drive gear 54, a relay
gear 55, and a lifter motor 56.
[0164] The up-and-down plate 52 includes up-and-down pins 52a each
being an exemplary rod-like member, and cam pins 52b. In the
present embodiment, the three up-and-down pins 52a are provided at
an interval of 120 degrees, and so are the three cam pins 52b.
[0165] The three up-and-down pins 52a are provided at positions
where they agree with the three holes 21e provided at the magazine
tray 21 as shown in FIG. 2B, when the magazine tray 21 is placed at
the prescribed position on the magazine tray guide 51 as shown in
FIG. 15. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the magazine tray guide 51
is provided with three holes 51a at the positions corresponding to
the three up-and-down pins 52a. The three cam pins 52b are engaged
with three slits 5a provided at the body of the lifter 5. The slits
5a are provided so as to extend in the device height direction
Z.
[0166] Three cam grooves 53a are provided at the inner
circumferential face of the rotary cam 53. Each cam groove 53a has
an inclined face along which the tip portion of corresponding one
of the three cam pins 52b slides. A cam gear 53b is provided at the
outer circumferential face of the rotary cam 53. The cam gear 53b
meshes with the drive gear 54. The drive gear 54 meshes with the
relay gear 55. The relay gear 55 meshes with the motor gear (not
shown), into which the drive shaft of the lifter motor 56 is press
fitted.
[0167] When the lifter motor 56 is driven, the drive force of the
lifter motor 56 is transferred to the drive gear 54 via the motor
gear (not shown) and the relay gear 55, whereby the drive gear 54
rotates. Thus, the rotary cam 53 meshing with the drive gear 54 by
the cam gear 53b rotates. As the rotary cam 53 rotates, tip
portions of the three cam pins 52b, whose rotation is regulated by
the three slits 5a, slide along the inclined face of the three cam
grooves 53a, and the up-and-down plate 52 rises and lowers in the
device height direction Z. The lifter motor 56 is connected to the
control unit of the electric circuit and the power supply 7 via the
FFC 14 (see FIG. 1), and drives under control of the control
unit.
[0168] As shown in FIG. 17, when the up-and-down plate 52 rises,
the three up-and-down pins 52a enter inside the magazine tray 21
through the three holes 51a of the magazine tray guide 51 and the
three holes 21e of the magazine tray 21. By the rising of the three
up-and-down pins 52a, a plurality of discs 100 are pushed out from
the magazine tray 21. The plurality of discs 100 pushed out by the
three up-and-down pins 52a are retained by the carrier 6.
[0169] As shown in FIG. 18, the carrier 6 is provided at a housing
8 storing a plurality of (e.g., 12 pieces of) disc drives 4. The
carrier 6 includes a shift base 61 shifting in the device height
direction Z and a disc chuck unit 62 provided at the shift base
61.
[0170] As shown in FIG. 19, the shift base 61 is connected to a
ball screw 91 via a bush 61a and connected to a guide shaft 92 via
a guide shaft bearing 61b. The ball screw 91 and the guide shaft 92
are provided so as to extend in the device height direction Z.
[0171] As shown in FIG. 18, a pulley 91a is attached to the top end
portion of the ball screw 91. Further, the housing 8 is provided
with a carrier motor 93 that produces the drive force for rotating
the ball screw 91 about its axis. A pulley 93a is attached to the
drive shaft of the carrier motor 93. A belt 94 is wrapped around
the pulley 91a and the pulley 93a.
[0172] When the carrier motor 93 is driven, the drive force of the
carrier motor 93 is transferred to the ball screw 91 via the pulley
93a, the belt 94, and the pulley 91a, and the ball screw 91 rotates
about its axis. By the rotation of the ball screw 91, the shift
base 61 is guided by the ball screw 91 and the guide shaft 92 and
shifts in the device height direction Z. The carrier motor 93 is
connected to the control unit of the electric circuit and the power
supply 7, and drives under control of the control unit.
[0173] The disc chuck unit 62 is structured to retain a plurality
of discs 100 pushed out by the lifter 5, and to separate the
retained plurality of discs 100 one by one. The detail of the
structure of the shift base 61 and the disc chuck unit 62 will be
detailed later.
[0174] As shown in FIG. 15, when the magazine tray 21 is placed at
a prescribed position at the top of the lifter 5, as shown in FIG.
20, the shift base 61 is lowered to the position near the magazine
tray 21. Thus, the tip portion of the disc chuck unit 62 engages
with the engaging portion 23a of the core rod 23 (see FIG. 2B)
provided at the magazine tray 21, whereby the disc chuck unit 62
and the core rod 23 become coaxial to each other. In this state,
the lifter motor 56 is driven and the up-and-down plate 52 rises
(see FIG. 17).
[0175] When the up-and-down plate 52 rises, the up-and-down pins
52a enter inside the magazine tray 21 through the holes 51a and
21e, to push out a plurality of discs 100 from the magazine tray
21. Thus, as show in FIG. 21, the disc chuck unit 62 retains the
plurality of discs 100.
[0176] When the disc chuck unit 62 retains all the discs 100, the
shift base 61 rises as being guided by the ball screw 91 and the
guide shaft 92. Thus, engagement between the tip portion of the
disc chuck unit 62 and the engaging portion 23a of the core rod 23
(see FIG. 2B) is released. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 22, the
picker 3 shifts to the device-front side, and the magazine tray 21
recedes from the location near the disc drive 4. Thereafter, under
control of the control unit of the electric circuit and the power
supply 7, the tray 4a of the disc drive 4 is ejected as shown in
FIG. 23.
[0177] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 24, the shift base 61 is
lowered such that the plurality of discs 100 retained by the disc
chuck unit 62 are located above the tray 4a (e.g., immediately
above). Thereafter, by the disc chuck unit 62, the bottommost disc
100 is separated from the other discs, and placed on the tray 4a.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the state where the
bottommost disc 100 is placed on the tray 4a.
[0178] When the bottommost disc 100 is placed on the tray 4a, the
shift base 61 is raised such that the disc chuck unit 62 and the
tray 4a are not brought into contact with each other. Thereafter,
as shown in FIG. 26, the tray 4a is carried into the disc drive 4.
Thereafter, or simultaneously therewith, the tray 4a of the disc
drive 4 opposing to the handled disc drive is ejected (not shown).
Thereafter, in the manner similarly to that described above, a disc
100 is placed on the tray 4a, and the tray 4a is carried into the
disc drive 4. Thus, the loading operation as to the disc drives 4
of the bottommost stage (first stage) is completed. This loading
operation is repeated as to the second and following stages.
[0179] FIG. 27 shows the manner in which a disc 100 is placed on
the tray 4a of the disc drive 4 of the topmost stage (e.g., sixth
stage). When the loading operation as to the topmost-stage disc
drives 4 is completed, all the disc drives 4 now accommodate the
discs 100, and recording on or reproduction from the discs 100 in
the disc drives 4 is enabled.
[0180] It is to be noted that, the collection of the discs 100 in
the disc drives 4 should be performed in the order reverse to the
foregoing manner, for example. Specifically, it is performed as
follows.
[0181] Firstly, as shown in FIG. 27, the tray 4a of the
topmost-stage disc drive 4 is ejected.
[0182] Thereafter, the disc chuck unit 62 is inserted into the
center hole 100a of the disc 100 on the tray 4a, and the disc chuck
unit 62 retains the disc 100.
[0183] Thereafter, the tray 4a from which the disc 100 is collected
by the disc chuck unit 62 is carried into the disc drive 4.
Thereafter or simultaneously therewith, the tray 4a of the disc
drive 4 opposing to the handled disc drive is ejected (not shown).
Thereafter, in the manner similarly to that described above, the
disc 100 of the tray 4a is collected by the disc chuck unit 62, and
the tray 4a is carried into the disc drive 4. Thus, the disc
collection operation as to the disc drives 4 of the topmost stage
(first stage) is completed. This disc collection operation is
repeated until the discs 100 in the bottommost-stage disc drives 4
are collected.
[0184] When the disc chuck unit 62 has collected all the discs 100,
the shift base 61 is raised. Thereafter, the picker 3 shifts to the
device-rear side, and the magazine tray 21 is set below the disc
chuck unit 62.
[0185] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is lowered, and the tip
portion of the disc chuck unit 62 engages with the engaging portion
23a (see FIG. 2B) of the core rod 23, whereby the disc chuck unit
62 and the core rod 23 become coaxial to each other.
[0186] Thereafter, all the discs 100 retained by the disc chuck
unit 62 are pushed into the magazine tray 21 as shown in FIG. 28,
and stored.
[0187] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is raised, and the engagement
between the tip portion of the disc chuck unit 62 and the engaging
portion 23a of the core rod 23 is released.
[0188] The magazine tray 21 having stored all the discs 100 are
returned into the magazine stocker 1 by the picker 3. This
conveyance of the magazine tray 21 into the magazine stocker 1 is
achieved by, for example, performing the operations that are
reverse to the operations having been described with reference to
FIGS. 6 to 15.
[0189] Next, a more detailed description will be given of the
structure of the disc chuck unit 62.
[0190] As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the disc chuck unit 62 includes
separator hooks 64A, 64B, bottom hooks 65A, 65B, a spindle unit 66,
and a camshaft unit 67.
[0191] FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of the separator
hooks 64A, 64B and the bottom hooks 65A, 65B. The hooks 64A to 65B
are formed to be substantially lever-shaped, and include rotary
shafts 64Ac to 65Ba and drive pins 64Ab to 65Bb extending in the
device height direction Z, and claw portions 64Ac to 65Bc
projecting in the direction crossing the device height direction
Z.
[0192] Further, as shown in FIG. 32, in the present embodiment, the
inner circumferential portion of each disc 100 is provided with a
recess portion 100b. The recess portion 100b is formed to have a
shape obtained by cutting the top corner portion of the inner
circumferential portion of the disc 100 so as to have a level face
100ba and an inclined face 100bb. As shown in FIG. 31, the bottom
faces of the claw portions 64Ac, 64Bc of the separator hooks 64A,
64B are each formed to have an inclined face, such that the
thickness becomes greater downward from the outer circumferential
side to the inner circumferential side. Further, the top faces of
the claw portions 64Ac to 65Bc are formed to be perpendicular to
the device height direction Z.
[0193] As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the spindle unit 66 includes a
spindle shaft 66a of a substantially cylindrical shape, a spindle
head 66b of a substantially circular truncated cone shape provided
below the spindle shaft 66a, and a flange 66c provided at the top
end portion of the spindle shaft 66a.
[0194] By the flange 66c being directly or indirectly attached to
the shift base 61, the spindle unit 66 shifts integrally with the
shift base 61. The diameter of the spindle shaft 66a is set to be
smaller than the diameter of the center hole 100a of each disc 100.
For example, the diameter of the spindle shaft 66a is 14.5 mm, and
the diameter of the center hole 100a of the disc 100 is 15 mm.
[0195] As shown in FIG. 33, the spindle head 66b is fixed to the
bottom end portion of the spindle shaft 66a by a screw 66d. Between
the spindle head 66b and the spindle shaft 66a, four openings 66e
are formed. The claw portions 64Ac to 65Bc of the hooks 64A to 65B
are structured so as to be capable of advancing and retracting
through the openings 66e.
[0196] As shown in FIG. 34, the spindle head 66b is provided with
four rotary shaft holes 66ba. Further, as shown in FIG. 33, the
spindle shaft 66a is provided with rotary shaft holes 66aa at the
positions corresponding to the positions opposing to the rotary
shaft holes 66ba. The hooks 64A to 65B are rotatably retained, by
the rotary shafts 64Ac to 65Bc being inserted into corresponding
rotary shaft holes 66aa, 66ba. Further, the hooks 64A to 65B are
retained such that the top faces of the claw portions 64Ac, 64Bc of
the separator hooks 64A, 64B are positioned higher than the top
faces of the claw portions 65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom hooks 65A, 65B
by the thickness of approximately one disc. Further, the separator
hook 64A and the separator hook 64B are retained at the positions
being out of phase by 180 degrees from each other in the
circumferential direction of the spindle unit 66. The bottom hook
65A and the bottom hook 65B are retained at the positions being out
of phase by 180 degrees from each other in the circumferential
direction of the spindle unit 66.
[0197] In this embodiment, the second hold claw portion capable of
holding an inner circumferential portion of the disc 100 is
configured by the claw portions 64Ac and 64Bc of the separator
hooks 64A and 64B. In the embodiment, the first hold claw portion
capable of holding the inner circumferential portion of the disc
100 is configured by claw portions 65Ac and 65Bc of the bottom
hooks 65A and 65B.
[0198] As shown in FIG. 35, the camshaft unit 67 includes a
substantially cylindrical camshaft 67a, a cam gear 67b provided at
the top end portion of the camshaft 67a, and cam plates 68A, 68B
provided at the bottom end portion of the camshaft 67a.
[0199] At the center portion of the cam gear 67b, a rotary shaft
hole 67ba is provided. Into the rotary shaft hole 67ba, a rotary
shaft (not shown) provided at the shift base 61 is inserted. As
shown in FIG. 18, the cam gear 67b meshes with a relay gear 70. The
relay gear 70 is structured with two gears, for example, and
rotatably provided at the shift base 61. Further, as shown in FIG.
18 or 19, the relay gear 70 meshes with a motor gear 71a, into
which the drive shaft of the disc chuck motor 71 provided at the
shift base 61 is press fitted.
[0200] When the disc chuck motor 71 is driven, the drive force of
the disc chuck motor 71 is transferred to the camshaft 67a via the
motor gear 71a, the relay gear 70, and the cam gear 67b, whereby
the camshaft 67a rotates. The disc chuck motor 71 is connected to
the control unit of the electric circuit and the power supply 7,
and drives under control of the control unit.
[0201] As shown in FIG. 35, the bottom end portion of the camshaft
67a is provided with an engaging portion 67aa for engaging with the
cam plate 68A, and an engaging portion 67ab for engaging with the
cam plate 68B. The engaging portions 67aa, 67ab are each formed to
have a D-shaped cross section.
[0202] At the center portion of the cam plate 68A, a D-shaped
rotary shaft hole 68Aa is provided. The cam plate 68A is structured
so as to be capable of integrally rotating with the camshaft 67a,
by the engaging portion 67aa of the camshaft 67a engaging with the
rotary shaft hole 68Aa.
[0203] At the center portion of the top face of the cam plate 68B,
a D-shaped rotary shaft hole 68Ba is provided. The cam plate 68B is
structured so as to be capable of integrally rotating with the
camshaft 67a, by the engaging portion 67ab of the camshaft 67a
engaging with the rotary shaft hole 68Ba.
[0204] Further, at the center portion of the bottom face of the cam
plate 68B, a rotary shaft 68Bb is provided. As shown in FIG. 29,
the rotary shaft 68Bb is inserted into a rotary shaft bearing 66ab
provided at the bottom end portion of the spindle shaft 66a.
[0205] The top face of the cam plate 68A is provided with a cam
groove 68Ab (see FIG. 35) along which the drive pin 64Ab of the
separator hook 64A slides when the camshaft 67a rotates. FIGS. 37A
to 37D each show the manner of the drive pin 64Ab of the separator
hook 64A sliding along the cam groove 68Ab.
[0206] The bottom face of the cam plate 68A is provided with a cam
groove 68Ac (see FIG. 36) along which the drive pin 64Bb of the
separator hook 64B slides when the camshaft 67a rotates. FIGS. 38A
to 38D each show the manner of the drive pin 64Bb of the separator
hook 64B sliding along the cam groove 68Ac. The cam groove 68Ac has
mirror symmetry relative to the cam groove 68Ab, and is provided at
the position being out of phase by 180 degrees in the
circumferential direction of the spindle unit 66.
[0207] The top face of the cam plate 68B is provided with a cam
groove 68Bc (see FIG. 35) along which the drive pin 65Bb of the
bottom hook 65B slides when the camshaft 67a rotates. FIGS. 39A to
39D each show the manner of the drive pin 65Bb of the bottom hook
65B sliding along the cam groove 68Bc.
[0208] The bottom face of the cam plate 68B is provided with a cam
groove 68Bd (see FIG. 36) along which the drive pin 65Ab of the
bottom hook 65A slides when the camshaft 67a rotates. FIGS. 40A to
40D each show the manner of the drive pin 65Ab of the bottom hook
65A sliding along the cam groove 68Bd. The cam groove 68Bd has
mirror symmetry relative to the cam groove 68Bc, and is provided at
the position being out of phase by 180 degrees in the
circumferential direction of the spindle unit 66.
[0209] FIGS. 41A to 41D are each a diagram focusing on the
positional relationship between the camshaft 67a and the four hooks
64A to 65B.
[0210] The separator hook 64A and the separator hook 64B shift such
that, in accordance with the rotation of the camshaft 67a, their
respective claw portions 64Ac, 64Bc are located at the position
inside the spindle shaft 66a (see FIGS. 41A and 41B), the position
outside the spindle shaft 66a (see FIG. 41C), and the position
further outside the spindle shaft 66a (see FIG. 41D). It is to be
noted that, the separator hooks 64A, 64B are provided with stoppers
64Ad, 64Bd for restricting the rotation range.
[0211] In the following, the position shown in FIG. 41A where all
the hooks 64A to 65B are located inside the spindle shaft 66a is
referred to as the stored position. Further, the position shown in
FIG. 41B where only the bottom hooks 65A, 65B are located outside
the spindle shaft 66a is referred to as the holding position.
Further, the position shown in FIG. 41C where all the hooks 64A to
65B are located outside the spindle shaft 66a is referred to as the
switching position. Further, the position shown in FIG. 41D where
the separator hooks 64A, 64B are located further outside the
spindle shaft 66a and the bottom hooks 65A, 65B are located inside
the spindle shaft 66a is referred to as the separating
position.
[0212] Next, with reference to FIGS. 42 to 50, a description will
be given of the operation in which the carrier 6 separates one disc
from a plurality of discs and places the separated disc on the tray
4a of the disc drive 4. It is to be noted that, throughout FIGS. 42
to 50, for the sake of convenience, the claw portions 64Ac, 64Ad of
the separator hooks 64A, 64B and the claw portions 65Ac, 65Bc of
the bottom hooks 65A, 65B are shown to be on an identical cross
section. Further, here, the description is started from the state
where the up-and-down pins 52a push out a plurality of discs 100
from the magazine tray 21.
[0213] When the up-and-down pins 52a push out a plurality of discs
100, as shown in FIG. 42, the spindle unit 66 is inserted inside
the center hole 100a of a plurality of discs 100. Here, the hooks
64A to 65B are located at the stored position (see FIG. 41A).
[0214] As shown in FIG. 43, when the up-and-down pins 52a push the
plurality of discs 100 until the claw portions 65Ac, 65Bc of the
bottom hooks 65A, 65B are located lower than the bottommost disc
among the plurality of discs, the disc chuck motor 71 (see FIG. 19)
is driven, whereby the camshaft 67a axially rotates in the normal
direction. Thus, as shown in FIG. 44, the hooks 64A to 65B shift
from the stored position (see FIG. 41A) to the holding position
(see FIG. 41B).
[0215] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is raised, and as shown in
FIG. 45, the top face of the claw portions 65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom
hooks 65A, 65B are brought into contact with the inner
circumferential portion of the bottommost disc 100, to hold all the
discs 100. Further, at this time, engagement between the spindle
head 66b and the engaging portion 23a (see FIG. 2B) of the core rod
23 is released.
[0216] Thereafter, the disc chuck motor 71 (see FIG. 19) is further
driven, whereby the camshaft 67a further rotates in the normal
direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B shift from the holding
position (see FIG. 41B) to the switching position (see FIG. 41C),
and as shown in FIG. 46, the claw portions 64Ac, 64Bc of the
separator hooks 64A, 64B are inserted into the recess portion 100b
of the bottommost disc 100.
[0217] Thereafter, the picker 3 shifts to the device-front side,
whereby the magazine tray 21 recedes from the position near the
disc drive 4 (see FIG. 22). Thereafter, the tray 4a of the disc
drive 4 is discharged (see FIG. 23).
[0218] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is lowered such that the
plurality of discs 100 retained by the spindle unit 66 is located
above the tray 4a (e.g., immediately above). In this state, the
disc chuck motor 71 is further driven, and the camshaft 67a is
rotated further in the normal direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B
shift from the switching position (see FIG. 41C) to the separating
position (see FIG. 41D), and as shown in FIG. 47, the claw portions
65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom hooks 65A, 65B shift to the position
inside the spindle shaft 66a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 48, the
bottommost disc 100 falls by its self weight, to be placed on the
tray 4a. Further, at this time, the separator hooks 64A, 64B
further project outside the spindle shaft 66a, and the inclined
face formed at the bottom face of each of the claw portions 64Ac,
64Bc of the separator hooks 64A, 64B pushes the bottommost disc 100
downward, to function to aid the disc 100 in falling by its self
weight. Still further, at this time, the top faces of the claw
portions 64Ac, 64Bc of the separator hooks 64A, 64B are brought
into contact with the inner circumferential portion of the
bottommost disc 100 out of the rest of the disc, and hold the rest
of the discs 100.
[0219] When the bottommost disc 100 is placed on the tray 4a, the
shift base 61 is raised such that the spindle unit 66 and the tray
4a are not brought into contact with each other. Thereafter, the
tray 4a is carried into the disc drive 4. Thereafter or
simultaneously therewith, the tray 4a of the disc drive 4 opposing
to the handled disc drive is ejected (not shown).
[0220] Thereafter, the disc chuck motor 71 is reversely driven,
whereby the camshaft 67a rotates in the reverse direction. Thus,
the hooks 64A to 65B shift from the separating position (see FIG.
41D) to the switching position (see FIG. 41C), and as shown in FIG.
49, the claw portions 65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom hooks 65A, 65B shift
to the positions outside the spindle shaft 66a.
[0221] Thereafter, the disc chuck motor 71 is further reversely
driven, whereby the camshaft 67a further rotates in the reverse
direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B shift from the switching
position (see FIG. 41C) to the holding position (see FIG. 41B),
whereby the claw portions 64Ac, 64Bc of the separators 64A, 64B
shift to the positions inside the spindle shaft 66a as shown in
FIG. 50. As a result, the rest of the discs 100 held by the top
face of the claw portions 64Ac, 64Bc of the separator hooks 64A,
64B fall by their self weight, and held by the top face of the claw
portions 65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom hooks 65A, 65B.
[0222] Thereafter, the disc chuck motor 71 is driven, whereby the
camshaft 67a rotates in the normal direction. Thus, the hooks 64A
to 65B shifts from the holding position (see FIG. 41B) to the
switching position (see FIG. 41C), and as shown in FIG. 46, the
claw portions 64Ac, 64Bc of the separator hooks 64A, 64B are
inserted into the recess portion 100b of the bottommost disc
100.
[0223] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is lowered such that the
plurality of discs 100 retained by the spindle unit 66 is located
above (e.g., immediately above) the ejected tray 4a. In this state,
the disc chuck motor 71 is further driven, whereby the camshaft 67a
further shifts in the normal direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B
shift from the switching position (see FIG. 41C) to the separating
position (see FIG. 41D), and as shown in FIG. 47, the claw portions
65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom hooks 65A, 65B shift to the position inner
than the spindle shaft 66a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 48, the
bottommost disc 100 falls by its self weight, to be placed on the
tray 4a. Further, at this time, the separator hooks 64A, 64B
further project outside the spindle shaft 66a, and the inclined
face formed at the bottom face of each of the claw portions 64Ac,
64Bc of the separator hooks 64A, 64B pushes the bottommost disc 100
downward, to function to aid the disc 100 in falling by its self
weight. Still further, at this time, the top faces of the claw
portions 64Ac, 64Bc of the separator hooks 64A, 64B are brought
into contact with the inner circumferential portion of the
bottommost disc out of the rest of the discs, and hold the rest of
the discs 100.
[0224] When the bottommost disc 100 is placed on the tray 4a, the
shift base 61 is raised such that the spindle unit 66 and the tray
4a are not brought into contact with each other. Thereafter, the
tray 4a is carried into the disc drive 4. Thus, the loading
operation as to the disc drives 4 of the bottommost stage (first
stage) is completed. This loading operation is repeated as to the
second and following stages.
[0225] When the loading operation to the topmost-stage disc drives
4 is completed, all the disc drives 4 now accommodate the discs
100, and recording on or reproduction from the discs 100 in the
disc drives 4 is enabled.
[0226] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the
carrier 6 collecting the discs 100 from the disc drives 4.
[0227] Firstly, the tray 4a of the topmost-stage disc drive 4 is
ejected.
[0228] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is lowered, and the spindle
unit 66 is inserted into the center hole 100a of the disc 100 on
the tray 4a. At this time, the hooks 64A to 65B are at the stored
position (see FIG. 41A).
[0229] When the shift base 61 is lowered until the disc 100 is
located above the bottom hooks 65A, 65B, the disc chuck motor 71
(see FIG. 19) is driven, whereby the camshaft 67a rotates in the
normal direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B shift from the stored
position (see FIG. 41A) to the holding position (see FIG. 41B).
[0230] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is raised, and the top face of
the claw portions 65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom hooks 65A, 65B are
brought into contact with the inner circumferential portion of the
disc 100, to retain the disc 100. Thus, the disc 100 on the tray 4a
is collected.
[0231] Thereafter, the tray 4a from which the disc 100 is collected
is carried into the disc drive 4. Thereafter or simultaneously
therewith, the tray 4a of the disc drive 4 opposing to the handled
disc drive 4 is ejected.
[0232] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is lowered such that the disc
retained by the spindle unit 66 is located above (e.g., immediately
above) the disc 100 on the ejected tray 4a.
[0233] Thereafter, the disc chuck motor 71 (see FIG. 19) is
reversely driven, and the camshaft 67a rotates in the reverse
direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B shift from the holding
position (see FIG. 41B) to the stored position (see FIG. 41A).
Thus, the disc 100 retained by the spindle unit 66 falls by its
self weight, and stacked on the disc 100 on the ejected tray
4a.
[0234] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is lowered, and the spindle
unit 66 is inserted into the center holes 100a of the two discs 100
on the ejected tray 4a.
[0235] When the shift base 61 is lowered until the two discs 100
are located above the bottom hooks 65A, 65B, the disc chuck motor
71 (see FIG. 19) is driven, whereby the camshaft 67a rotates in the
normal direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B shift from the stored
position (see FIG. 41A) to the holding position (see FIG. 41B).
[0236] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is raised, and the top faces
of the claw portions 65Ac, 65Bc of the bottom hooks 65A, 65B are
brought into contact with the inner circumferential portion of the
bottommost disc 100, to hold all the discs 100.
[0237] Thereafter, the tray 4a from which the disc 100 is collected
is carried into the disc drive 4. Thus, the disc collection
operation of the disc drives 4 of the topmost stage (first stage)
is completed. This disc collection operation is repeated until the
discs 100 in the bottommost-stage disc drives 4 are collected.
[0238] When the spindle unit 66 has collected all the discs 100,
the shift base 61 is raised. Thereafter, the picker 3 shifts to the
device-rear side, and the magazine tray 21 is set below the spindle
unit 66.
[0239] Thereafter, the shift base 61 is lowered, and the spindle
head 66b (see FIG. 33) engages with the engaging portion 23a (see
FIG. 2B) of the core rod 23, whereby the spindle head 66b and the
core rod 23 become coaxial to each other.
[0240] Thereafter, the disc chuck motor 71 (see FIG. 19) is
reversely driven, whereby the camshaft 67a rotates in the reverse
direction. Thus, the hooks 64A to 65B shift from the holding
position (see FIG. 41B) to the stored position (see FIG. 41A).
Thus, all the discs 100 retained by the spindle unit 66 fall by
their self weight along the spindle head 66b and the core rod 23,
and stored in the magazine tray 21.
[0241] According to the disc device of the embodiment, the magazine
tray 21 in which a plurality of discs 100 are stored is conveyed to
a position near the disc drive 4. That is, the plurality of discs
100 are conveyed to the position near the disc drive 4 at the same
time. According to the disc device of the embodiment, the plurality
of discs 100 are retained by the carrier 6 in the stacked state,
and one disc from the plurality of discs is separated at a position
above the tray 4a of each of the disc drives 4. Thus, as compared
with the conventional disc device which conveys discs from the
magazine to the disc drives one by one, it is possible to largely
reduce time required for conveying the discs 100 to the plurality
of disc drives 4.
[0242] According to the disc device of the embodiment, since a
plurality of disc drives 4 can be used at the same time, it is
possible to realize a transmission rate higher than that of LTO
(Linear Tape-Open). For example, a transmission rate of the LTO is
currently about 140 MB/S. On the other hand, a transmission rate of
an optical disc (BD) is about 4.5 MB/S in the case of single-speed,
and about 18 MB/S in the case of quad-speed. According to the disc
device of the embodiment, since twelve disc drives 104 can be used
at the same time, it is possible to realize a transmission rate of
about 216 MB/S.
[0243] Although the hooks 64A to 65B shift to the four positions,
i.e., the stored position (see FIG. 41A), the holding position (see
FIG. 41B), the switched position (see FIG. 41C) and the separating
position (see FIG. 41D) in the embodiment, the present disclosure
is not limited to this. The hooks 64A to 65B may shift to three
positions, i.e., the holding position, the switching position, and
the separating position. In this case, the disc device should be
configured such that the hooks 64A to 65B are located at the
holding position, and the hooks 64A and 64B come into contact with
the inner circumferential portion of the bottommost disc 100 and
hold all of the discs 100 when the spindle unit 66 is inserted into
the center holes formed in the plurality of discs 100. That is, the
disc device should be configured such that in a state where the
hooks 64A to 65B are located at the holding position, the spindle
unit 66 is inserted into the center holes formed in the plurality
of discs 100 from above, the hooks 64A and 64B come into contact
with the inner circumferential portion of the bottommost disc 100
and hold all of the discs 100. Thus, it is not necessary to shift
the hooks 64A to 65B to the stored position (FIG. 41A).
[0244] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in
connection with the embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and
modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such
changes and modifications are to be understood as included within
the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
claims unless they depart therefrom.
[0245] Since the disc device of the present disclosure can avoid an
increase in the time required for supplying discs to a plurality of
disc drives, the present disclosure is especially useful for a disc
device provided with a large number of magazines.
[0246] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2012-127164 filed on Jun. 4, 2012 including specification, drawing
and claims are incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
* * * * *